Bruce Owens Bryte

Bruce was born May 9,1953, in Honolulu, Hawaii to Anna Rose Owens and Jack Bryte. He lived there for the first few years of his life and loved the ocean. When the family all relocated to Groton, Connecticut, Bruce was in his element. As a boy, he and his friends rode bicycles, played ball and enjoyed swimming to the raft at Eastern Point Beach. After graduating from St. Bernard's Boys’ High School in 1971, he attended St. Michael’s College in Santa Fe before moving to Tucson.

Bruce started his own landscaping business in Tucson and reconnected with his childhood friend Kathy James. They were married on October 27, 1979 in the Abajo Mountains near Monticello, Utah, and bought 40 acres east of Monticello the day after. With Kathy’s encouragement, Bruce returned to college and received his Associate’s degree in 1995 as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Together they started OT4KIDS, LLC and worked with students in schools all across southern Arizona. With summers off, Bruce and Kathy hiked, kayaked and camped in the Four Corners states, and together built a 2-story log home by themselves. Weekends were spent with friends and neighbors sharing stories and laughing together around the campfire.

Bruce and Kathy moved to Cortez, Colorado permanently in 2016, and with no local OT jobs, they both retired. They bought a home on 3 acres and created a raised bed garden with drip irrigation. Summer evenings were enjoyed on their long front porch under shade trees. As life long dog lovers, their last dog, Milo, passed away last year and broke both Bruce’s and Kathy’s hearts.

Bruce and Kathy were long term volunteers at Grace’s Kitchen of St. Barnabas church in Cortez. As a volunteer cook, Bruce didn't just feed others; he brought a unique warmth, dedication, and joy to the kitchen that was truly infectious. Bruce was the heart and soul of the Thursday meals for the community with his vibrant spirit, his generous heart, and, of course, his wonderful cooking. Grace’s Kitchen simply won't be the same without him, but his legacy of service will continue to inspire every time a meal is shared in our community.

Bruce passed away suddenly at home of cardiac arrest on June 25, 2026. He is survived by his wife Kathy, his two sisters, Jackie and Sandy, his brother Dennis and many dear friends.

A celebration of Bruce’s Life will be held on Friday, July 10, at 2pm at St. Barnabas of the Valley Episcopal Church parish hall -- 110 W. North St. Cortez, CO.

Bruce’s passing is heartbreaking… he will be missed for a long time to come…

Goodbye Bruce, God Bless you as you rest in peace… we love you.